The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, is expected to officially assume office next week, ahead of the November 8 Anambra State governorship election.
According to multiple officials at INEC, Amupitan would formally take over the reins of the commission after his swearing-in by President Bola Tinubu, a ceremony traditionally conducted at the Federal Executive Council meeting, expected to be held next week.
“Prof. Amupitan will assume office on the day he is sworn in by the President.
“The tradition is that he gets sworn in before a Federal Executive Council meeting, and he would be escorted by INEC National Commissioners to resume office immediately,” a senior official involved in the transition process said.
An INEC Director acknowledged that, while the specific date is unknown, the swearing-in is approaching.
“He will take his position after his inauguration,” the official stated.
The commission’s activity also indicated that preparations for Amupitan’s arrival were beginning.
An insider revealed, “I heard some of his ‘personal staff’ have been showing up at the commission, hoping he will be sworn in during the FEC meeting.”
Another insider added, “I learned that he may likely assume office next week.”
When contacted, the Director of Voter Education and Publicity, Victoria Eta-Messi, said, “We are expecting him, but there is no information on when he will officially assume office.”
Amupitan, a 58-year-old professor of law at the University of Jos and senior advocate of Nigeria, was confirmed as INEC chairman by the Senate last Thursday via voice vote led by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
The donor’s confirmation followed a rigorous vetting process in which he answered a variety of questions given by legislators.
Tinubu had already chosen Amupitan, who is well-known for his knowledge in constitutional and international law, to succeed Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, whose tenure ended recently.
In the interim, National Commissioner May Agbamuche-Mbu, who has been functioning as Acting INEC Chairman, recently presided over several stakeholder meetings at the commission’s headquarters.
Meanwhile, INEC has reaffirmed its determination and readiness to hold a free, fair, and credible governorship election in Anambra State on November 8, 2025.
Sam Olumekun, INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, made the pledge in Awka on Tuesday during a roundtable with journalists and on-air personalities ahead of the election.
Olumekun stated that the commission has been implementing a thorough operating strategy that includes logistics, technology, training, stakeholder involvement, and security coordination.
“Permit me to assure you that INEC is fully prepared for the upcoming Anambra governorship election. The level of readiness is both practical and measurable.
“All non-sensitive materials have been delivered to the state, while sensitive materials will arrive in due course under strict security arrangements,” he said.
According to an INEC official, Permanent Voter Cards from Anambra’s recently finished Continuous Voter Registration program would be available for pickup between Wednesday, October 22, and Sunday, October 26, 2025.
He asked voters who registered during the exercise to go to their respective wards and pick up their cards before the poll.
Olumekun stated that INEC officials were in Anambra for a week-long preparedness assessment, which included meetings with security agencies from the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security, transportation unions, and other stakeholders.
He warned against the spread of fake news and misinformation, which he described as one of the biggest threats to electoral integrity.
“False stories and manipulated videos can create unnecessary tension and erode public trust. Let truth remain your only compass. Verify before amplifying,” he told journalists.
Olumekun also stated that accreditation for journalists covering the election would not be extended beyond the approved time frame and that the list of accredited reporters would be shared with the Resident Electoral Commissioner and security agencies to ensure proper coordination and safety during collation.
Dr. Elizabeth Awgu, Anambra State Resident Electoral Commissioner, stated that all logistics had been finalized to ensure the timely distribution of materials throughout the state, including riverine communities.
“Materials will leave the CBN state headquarters on Thursday afternoon. If that happens, there will be no late arrival of materials. We are very well prepared for this election,” she said.
Awgu noted that voting would begin at 8:30 a.m. and end at 2:30 p.m., guaranteeing voters that anyone in line within that duration would be able to cast their ballot.
The HOD, ICT/VR, Emeka Nnaji; HOD, Legal, Mrs. Olachi Nwuko; and HOD, Electoral Operations, Ejikeme Ejimofor, were all present at the conference and reiterated INEC’s commitment to transparency.
“Together with the media, we are determined to make the 2025 Anambra governorship election a milestone in Nigeria’s democratic journey—peaceful, transparent, and credible,” Olumekun concluded.
